This excellent episode, written by Donald Jonson, was one of the first 'Danger Man' adventures to be released on video in the early-90's ( paired with 'The Ubiquitous Mr.Lovegrove' ). It was also repeated on B.B.C.-2 later in the decade as part of a Lew Grade retrospective.
Concerned about a number of mysterious disappearances of ordinary British people, Drake assumes the identity of clerical worker 'Robert Fuller', currently in M9 custody. Flying to Europe, he boards a train in the company of the surly electrician 'Randall' ( the late Glyn Owen ) and librarian 'Janet Wells' ( Katherine Woodville, then married to 'Avengers' star Patrick Macnee ), keen to be reunited with her partner 'Alan Bayliss'. They arrive at a desolate spot in the middle of nowhere. Drake is amazed to see a London double-decker bus. They are taken to Hamden, a replica English village situated behind the Iron Curtain. It is also an indoctrination centre for spies, who are being taught how to pass themselves off as English. It is run by the sinister 'Donovan' ( Niall McGinnis ) and 'Richardson' ( Peter Arne ). Bayliss died whilst attempting to escape.
Drake gets a job in the Citizens Advice Bureau, where he surreptitiously photographs his clients with the help of an M9 typewriter. When Randall tries to escape from the village, Drake goes after him. After a fight, they are brought back. M9's man in 'Section 1' gives orders for Drake's release. The journey home is not as smooth as it should be - Richardson tries to push him off the train...
'Colony Three' is regarded rightly as the dry run for McGoohan's next series 'The Prisoner'. Only here there is no doubt as to who runs the place or what its function is. Instead of Rover balloons emerging from the sea, helicopters recapture would-be runaways. There is a harrowing interrogation scene as Drake is questioned by Richardson, who gives him electric shocks each time he gets an answer he does not like. Donovan is as sinister as any of the people who resided in 'The Green Dome'. Drake actually achieves little here. Having discovered the place's existence, he is lucky to get out alive, taking his photographs with him. Colony Three is still functional as the story ends. When he tries to find out more about Janet, he is told by his superior that 'we have never heard of her'! Hardly a happy ending.
'Colony Three' would be referred to in a later episode - 'To Our Best Friend' - in which Drake meets one of its graduates - 'Leslie Vincent' ( Ann Bell ).
'Mission: Impossible', in its first year, did a similar idea - 'The Carriers' - in which the I.M.F. penetrates a replica American town somewhere in the U.S.S.R.
Concerned about a number of mysterious disappearances of ordinary British people, Drake assumes the identity of clerical worker 'Robert Fuller', currently in M9 custody. Flying to Europe, he boards a train in the company of the surly electrician 'Randall' ( the late Glyn Owen ) and librarian 'Janet Wells' ( Katherine Woodville, then married to 'Avengers' star Patrick Macnee ), keen to be reunited with her partner 'Alan Bayliss'. They arrive at a desolate spot in the middle of nowhere. Drake is amazed to see a London double-decker bus. They are taken to Hamden, a replica English village situated behind the Iron Curtain. It is also an indoctrination centre for spies, who are being taught how to pass themselves off as English. It is run by the sinister 'Donovan' ( Niall McGinnis ) and 'Richardson' ( Peter Arne ). Bayliss died whilst attempting to escape.
Drake gets a job in the Citizens Advice Bureau, where he surreptitiously photographs his clients with the help of an M9 typewriter. When Randall tries to escape from the village, Drake goes after him. After a fight, they are brought back. M9's man in 'Section 1' gives orders for Drake's release. The journey home is not as smooth as it should be - Richardson tries to push him off the train...
'Colony Three' is regarded rightly as the dry run for McGoohan's next series 'The Prisoner'. Only here there is no doubt as to who runs the place or what its function is. Instead of Rover balloons emerging from the sea, helicopters recapture would-be runaways. There is a harrowing interrogation scene as Drake is questioned by Richardson, who gives him electric shocks each time he gets an answer he does not like. Donovan is as sinister as any of the people who resided in 'The Green Dome'. Drake actually achieves little here. Having discovered the place's existence, he is lucky to get out alive, taking his photographs with him. Colony Three is still functional as the story ends. When he tries to find out more about Janet, he is told by his superior that 'we have never heard of her'! Hardly a happy ending.
'Colony Three' would be referred to in a later episode - 'To Our Best Friend' - in which Drake meets one of its graduates - 'Leslie Vincent' ( Ann Bell ).
'Mission: Impossible', in its first year, did a similar idea - 'The Carriers' - in which the I.M.F. penetrates a replica American town somewhere in the U.S.S.R.